Member Only Events
Online Events
Becoming a confident performer takes more than private lessons alone. That’s why every Cardon Studios membership includes access to our engaging online events: regular opportunities to practice performing, connect with fellow singers, and learn from watching others grow.
From casual Open Mic Nights to polished Student Showcases, our events help you build the stage presence and performance confidence that transforms good singers into compelling artists.
Become A Compelling Performer
Performance is a skill, and like any skill, it improves with practice. Our member events give you consistent, low-pressure opportunities to develop your performance abilities in a supportive online environment. Whether you’re preparing for your first karaoke night, an upcoming audition, or simply want to share music with an appreciative audience, these events help you get comfortable being heard.
Open Mic Night
- Live on Zoom
- Casual and Fun
- Safe space to try new material and share inspiration with fellow students!
Group Classes
- Live on Zoom
- Learn from a variety of Teachers
- Perform to receive Coaching, or sit back and learn from others
Student Showcases
- Put Your Finished Work Forward
- Pre-recorded for ultimate polish
- Your family and friends can tune in to watch- wherever they are!
We Celebrate All Voices
Students of all levels share their progress at our showcases
Our showcases celebrate singers at every stage of their journey.
From students performing their first solo to advanced singers tackling challenging repertoire, everyone shares their growth in a supportive environment. Watch the diversity of voices and styles that make our community special.
Why We Offer Online Events
Learning within a community can help you retain information and push through challenges.
The Cardon Studios community is made up of inspiring teachers and your supportive fellow students.
Our online events give us all a chance to connect with, perform for, learn from, and encourage each other. Research consistently shows that learning within a supportive community improves skill retention and helps students persist through the inevitable challenges of developing any new ability.
When you see another student work through a difficult passage or overcome performance nerves, something powerful happens—you realize it’s possible for you too. When you receive encouragement from people who genuinely understand your journey, setbacks feel less discouraging and progress feels more meaningful.
Our events provide emerging performers a safe outlet to tackle new ideas with supportive peers.
Settle into a new comfort level with your singing, and expand your performance horizons. Pick up inspiration from watching others along their journey, too.
Every performer starts somewhere. Many of our students have never sung in front of anyone before joining Cardon Studios. Others have performance experience but want to grow in new directions—trying a different style, tackling more challenging repertoire, or working on specific performance skills.
Our events are designed for this full spectrum of experience. Beginners find a judgment-free space to take their first performance steps. More experienced singers find opportunities to stretch and experiment. Everyone benefits from the supportive atmosphere we’ve cultivated over years of hosting these gatherings.
Challenging yourself to improve demands a lot.
With Cardon Studios, you can keep things as stress-free as possible. We’ll set you up to relax, explore, and enjoy music-making alongside your fellow students online.
Learning to sing well requires vulnerability. You’re using your own body as an instrument, making sounds that reveal something about yourself, and putting that forward for others to hear. This takes emotional energy. Our events respect that reality by maintaining a culture of encouragement, constructive feedback, and celebration of effort as much as achievement.
We’ve intentionally designed these events to minimize unnecessary stress. Clear expectations, supportive facilitation, and a community that genuinely wants each other to succeed all contribute to an environment where you can focus on growth rather than anxiety.
Who Attends Cardon Studios Events
A Community of Diverse Singers
Our event community reflects the full spectrum of vocal students, from complete beginners taking their first brave steps, to experienced performers honing specific skills, to working professionals maintaining their technique alongside demanding careers.
You’ll meet students from across the Washington DC Metro area and beyond:teachers, nurses, lawyers, college students, retirees, stay-at-home parents, all united by their love of singing. Ages range from teenagers (our youngest voice students) to singers in their 70s and beyond. Some students have musical theater backgrounds; others have never sung outside the shower before joining Cardon Studios.
This diversity creates a uniquely encouraging environment. When you watch a fellow student work through challenges similar to yours, you realize you’re not alone in your journey. When you see someone decades older or younger than you performing confidently, it expands your sense of what’s possible.
Every event welcomes singers at all levels. There’s no audition, no prerequisite skill level—just a willingness to participate and support your fellow students.
Students Love Our Community Events
From open mic nights to masterclasses, our events create a supportive space for singers to grow and perform. Here's what members are saying:
Allen Thompson
Allen is a wonderful teacher! He really listens to my concerns and addresses everything very clearly. I see obvious improvement with each and every lesson and always leave with realistic ‘homework’. He takes great notes of lessons so there’s no time wasted catching up each week.
Darnell Roulhac
Darnell is absolutely wonderful! He was focused on making sure I understood the instructions, he provided such helpful feedback, and was encouraging. I’ve already noticed a difference in the quality of my voice!
Sarah Behnke
Sarah is always so thorough with addressing any questions or struggles I have during lessons without any judgement! Her approach makes every lesson fun and enjoyable, but still challenging in a way the encourages me to keep working. I have seen big results- Highly recommend!
Kate Cardon
Kate gives instruction clearly precisely and even gives examples using her beautiful voice. She goes above and beyond to help you reach your goals! Top quality.
Open Mic Night
Open Mic Night is where courage meets community. These live Zoom events happen regularly and give you a relaxed space to perform works in progress, try out new songs, or simply share something you’ve been working on with your teacher. There’s no pressure to be perfect. This is about taking that next step in your performance journey, whatever that looks like for you.
What to Expect at Open Mic Night:
Each Open Mic Night follows a welcoming format designed to put even nervous performers at ease. Our host (typically one of our experienced teachers) creates a warm atmosphere where every voice is celebrated. You’ll sign up in advance for a performance slot, prepare your song or piece, and then share it live with fellow students who understand exactly how much courage it takes to sing for others.
Between performances, you’ll hear supportive feedback and encouragement from both teachers and peers. Many students find that watching others perform is just as valuable as performing themselves. You’ll pick up ideas, discover new songs, and feel inspired by seeing what’s possible.
Why Open Mic Night Matters:
For many singers, the gap between “singing in lessons” and “singing for others” feels enormous. Open Mic Night bridges that gap. Regular, low-stakes performance opportunities help you:
- Build comfort with the physical sensations of performing
- Practice managing performance nerves in a supportive setting
- Develop your stage presence and audience connection
- Get feedback on how your performance comes across
- Celebrate progress and build confidence over time
Group Classes
Group Classes bring the masterclass experience directly to your living room. Led by Cardon Studios teachers, these interactive sessions cover specific vocal topics, technique exploration, and live coaching demonstrations. Whether you choose to perform and receive feedback or simply observe and take notes, you’ll walk away with new insights you can apply immediately.
Group Class Format:
Each Group Class focuses on a specific topic or theme—breath support, vocal tone, performance expression, working through a challenging passage, or exploring a particular musical style. The teacher demonstrates concepts, works with volunteer performers, and answers questions from participants. It’s like having a front-row seat to expert coaching sessions.
Benefits of Group Classes:
- Learn from multiple teaching perspectives across our talented team
- Watch real-time problem-solving as teachers help other students
- Discover that your challenges are shared by fellow singers
- Pick up techniques and tips you can apply in your own practice
- Experience the energy of learning alongside a community
For students who aren’t ready to perform solo yet, Group Classes offer a perfect way to stay engaged with the community while learning from others’ experiences.
Student Showcases
Student Showcases are our celebration events! They’re opportunities to present your most polished performances to the Cardon Studios community and beyond. Unlike Open Mic Nights, these showcases feature pre-recorded performances, giving you complete control over your final presentation.
How Student Showcases Work:
When a showcase approaches, members are invited to submit video performances. You’ll work with your teacher to prepare a piece, record it at home (using your phone, tablet, or computer), and submit it through your student account. Our team compiles all submissions into a showcase event that premieres for the community, and you can invite family and friends from anywhere in the world to watch.
Why Pre-Recorded Showcases Work:
Recording your performance before the showcase gives you valuable advantages:
- Multiple takes mean you can present your best work
- Reduced live performance anxiety while still experiencing “going public”
- Practice with performance video recording: a skill singers need today
- Share your progress with loved ones regardless of their location
- Create a video record of your growth over time
Many students find that preparing for a showcase motivates deeper practice and provides a meaningful goal to work toward with their teacher.
The Performance Journey
Every singer’s path is different, but growth follows a pattern. Many students join Cardon Studios for private lessons but discover that our events become an essential part of their development. Here’s how members typically progress:
Stage 1: Observer
New members often start by simply watching, attending Group Classes or tuning into Student Showcases to see what the community is like. This observation period helps you understand the supportive culture and recognize that performers at these events are students just like you, at various points in their journey.
Stage 2: First Steps
When you’re ready, Open Mic Night offers a low-pressure first performance opportunity. Many students choose a short, simple piece for their debut—something they feel confident about. The supportive response from fellow students and teachers often surprises newcomers and builds courage for the next step.
Stage 3: Regular Participation
As comfort grows, students begin participating more by performing at Open Mic Nights, volunteering in Group Classes, and submitting recordings for Student Showcases. This consistent practice accelerates growth in ways private lessons alone can’t achieve.
Stage 4: Community Leadership
Eventually, many students find themselves encouraging newer members, sharing what they’ve learned, and helping create the supportive atmosphere that helped them grow. This community cycle continues as each generation of students supports the next.
How Often Do Cardon Studios Events Happen?
Your Event Calendar
Cardon Studios hosts events throughout the month, giving you regular opportunities to connect and perform:
Open Mic Nights happen multiple times each month, ensuring you always have a chance to share what you’ve been working on. Sign up through your student account and prepare one or two songs to perform live on Zoom.
Group Classes run regularly, with different teachers leading sessions on various topics. Check your member calendar to see upcoming class themes and choose the ones that interest you most.
Student Showcases premiere quarterly, giving you time to prepare polished performances that represent your best work. Submission deadlines are announced well in advance through your student account.
All event dates and registration details are available in your student portal. You’ll receive email reminders about upcoming events, making it easy to plan your participation around your schedule.
A Safe Space to Grow
Every student gets the same warm encouragement
Our events aren’t about perfection: they’re about courage, progress, and community.
Whether you’re performing for the first time or the fiftieth, you’ll find an audience that celebrates your bravery. Watch students take the leap in a space designed for growth, not judgment.
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Discover why families throughout the Washington DC Metro area have trusted Cardon Studios for over a decade. From first notes to advanced performance, we’re here to guide your musical journey with expert instruction in voice.
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